There is a time and a place for every type ofopen-world game. Sometimes, we want a thematically dense epic that raises ethical and moral dilemmas, telling an ambitious story backed by gameplay thatprioritizes immersion above everything else. Other times, we want to blow stuff up and have a good time without thinking too deeply about anything happening on screen. The gaming world is big enough to satisfy both desires, and each category can produce awesomeness.
Some open-world games pride themselves on being simply fun. They might not be mechanically deep or narratively challenging, but they hit the mark in just the right way to provide the ultimate escape from reality. If you are stressed and are looking for a break, these games can be the perfect medicine.
“Fun” is quite a flexible term, so the picks do not stick to a rigid criterion. That said, fully open-world games will be prioritized, and they are only loosely ranked.
Ah,Postal, the definition of an acquired taste. Honestly,Running with Scissors' seriesis difficult to recommend as most of the games are hard to appreciate or are, well, unoptimized, particularlyPostal 3; that said, the 2003 entry is a big exception.Postal 2offers irreverent mayhem and a surprising amount of freedom, especially considering its age.
Set in Paradise, you can decide how “postal” you want to go, and that includes completing chores and never exploding into chaos. However, the latter is the fun part, andPostal 2lets you go all out. Although fairly rough around the edges, the game nails that feeling of running wild in a sandbox, ruining every NPC’s day as they helplessly try to stop a sinister force of nature.
Saints Rowbecame known as the “wacky"GTA, a reputation stemming from the third and fourth entries embracing silliness over anything resembling realism. Now,Saints Row 2is the best game in the franchise, but its successor has the most fun sandbox to play within. Although always comedic to an extent,Saints Row: The Thirdis a parody of open-world crime romps, albeit one that preserves the genre’s typical gameplay loop rather than breaks it (likeSaints Row 4).
The story and characters are messy, and the map is filled with fairly repetitive missions. However,Saints Row: The Thirdplays well, contains a wide selection of ridiculous guns, and features a few memorable set pieces that are absurd in the best possible way.
IsManeatera great open-world game? Honestly, it has a few too many issues to be described as such. The controls can be frustrating and require patience to master, while the combat is simplistic and repetitive. The progression system is fairly slow and lackluster, with most of the upgrades being stat-based. The opening hours are also the worst, as the first area is not particularly fun to explore.
So,Maneaterhas its problems, but you know what else it has? Sharks. OK, that might not sound impressive, but it scratches a weird itch in practice. There is just something satisfying about ramping through the open waters while targeting other fishy beasts or ruining the day of a group of fishermen.Maneaterdelivers a power fantasy that basically no game besidesJaws Unleashedfulfills.
Putting aside the try-hard humor and divisive storytelling,Sunset Overdriveabsolutely knocks its gameplay out of the park, delivering a smooth system that blends movement, exploration, and combat seamlessly. Players will grind, leap, jump, parkour, and shoot their way through thevibrant Sunset City, spreading cartoony destruction along the way.
Legogameswere overexposed during the 2010s, with almost every year producing a new licensed title that played identically to the one before it. Just to be clear, these games were enjoyable and have aged relatively well, even if they cannot help but feel too similar. Consequently,Lego City Undercoverwas a breath of fresh air at the time, allowing the IP to step away from established franchises and craft an original story designed to be a kid-friendly take onGTA.
Blending sandbox freedom withLego’s addictive collect-a-thon rhythm,Undercoverdiscovers the best of both worlds, all the while telling an over-the-top story reminiscent ofLego Island. Even though it is very much intended for younger players,Lego City Undercoveris more than good enough for all ages, and I had an absolute blast playing the Switch version.
Pandemic Studios' death was one of the biggest gaming tragedies of the 2000s, and many of the developer’s releases are still a blast to play.Battlefrontneeds no selling, andDestroy All HumansandThe Saboteurare also fantastic in their own right. Then, there isMercenaries: Playground of Destruction, arguably Pandemic’s crowning achievement (at least in the open-world genre).
While showing its age in some ways,Playground of Destruction’sdestruction-based gameplayand faction warfare are both still as impressive as they were in 2005. You are largely free to approach missions in any way you see fit, which generally means causing as much wanton mayhem as possible. The faction system was incredibly deep in 2005, allowing you to align or go against four different units (but not North Korea).
To be frank, this pick was motivated by nostalgia to an extent, so a complete newcomer’s mileage may vary. That said, I still recommend givingPlayground of Destructiona go.Mercenaries 2has its positives as well, but it is not quite as impressive as its predecessor.
OK, admittedly,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis acting as a representative for Sega’s entire franchise, as mostYakuzagamesare simply fun. If you have yet to dip your toes into Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s universe, the best entry point isYakuza 0, especially since it is the strongest game in the series.
However, if you are just looking to have a good time and don’t care if you miss out on a few plot details (or spoilingLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth),Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis delightful. Who would have guessed that, of all IPs,Like a Dragonwould be the one to create a modern AAA pirate adventure? Flashy combat, a gorgeous open-world, surprisingly deep crew mechanics, polished gameplay, and a story that rarely takes itself seriously, this 2025 release is absurdist, silly fun in the best possible way.
Most great superheroopen-world games are fun.Marvel’s Spider-Man,Batman: Arkham City, andThe Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destructiondo fantastic jobs of adapting their source material, capturing each character’s spirit while telling unique stories. As brilliant as those releases are, Sucker Punch’sinFAMOUSseries is arguably the most “fun” example of this subgenre, largely thanks to fluid movement, electrifying combat, and moral systems.
Rather than role-playing as characters with decades of established lore, you can shape Cole or Delsin into your preferred image, crafting either a classic hero or a straight-up villain. This freedom is liberating, and this is echoed by the responsive and satisfying gameplay. Even all these years later,inFAMOUS' sandbox loop is still addictive.
